One police officer has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash involving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s motorcade Friday night outside of Los Angeles.
The California Highway Patrol officer was taken to hospital with what the force described as non-life threatening, but serious injuries — a category that could include a large abrasion with bleeding, or broken bones.
At the scene, the officer’s motorcycle was on its side and debris was spread across the four lanes of roadway.
The bumper of a black, 2008 Toyota Highlander was also on the ground. The rear passenger corner of the vehicle was mangled, with metal hanging off the body of the car.
The prime minister’s vehicle was not involved in the collision. Officials say Trudeau is aware of what happened and his staff are in contact with local authorities looking into the incident.
Sgt. Saul Gomez with the highway patrol said a motorcycle officer who was part of the motorcade and riding ahead of the prime minister’s vehicle tried to stop all vehicle traffic along a road not far from the Reagan library.
But a vehicle made a left turn and the two collided in the intersection.
The female driver of the car and her child were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, Gomez said.
Gomez said the crash is being investigated as a simple accident. He said police didn’t see any signs of impairment in the SUV driver, but will look into whether it played a role in the collision.
Gomez said that if the driver is considered to be at fault, then she could face charges.
